As on day one, 16 first-round matches are scheduled on Day 2 of the ATP Italian Open in Rome. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Marin Cilic vs Marcos Giron and Denis Shapovalov vs Mariano Navone but who will advance?
ATP Rome Day 2 Predictions
Thiago Agustin Tirante vs Gianluca Cadenasso
Head-to-head: first meeting
Thiago Agustin Tirante has been very impressive on clay so far this season, winning at least two matches in three of the four tournaments he played in. He is making his main draw debut in Rome and will like his chances against Italian wild card Gianluca Cadenasso, who will make his ATP Tour debut at the ATP Rome Masters. The wild card might just be struck by inspiration, but a win for the more experienced Argentine looks the likelier winner. Tirante is the clear favourite for this one.
Prediction: Tirante in 2
Ethan Quinn vs Pablo Llamas Ruiz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ethan Quinn lost early in Madrid, but he gained some match practice and wins at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger in France. He lost to the eventual winner, Alejandro Tabilo, in a close semifinal match – acquitting himself well in defeat. Pablo Llamas Ruiz beat two good players in the ATP Rome qualifying and will be looking to get his first tour-level win of the season. Expect a close match, but Quinn is more experienced and should edge this one in three sets, even if the Spaniard is marginally more at home on clay.
Prediction: Quinn in 3
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Daniel Merida
Head-to-head: first meeting
Nikoloz Basilashvili scraped out a gutsy win in his first round of qualifying against Elmer Moller at ATP Rome and then easily defeated Rinky Hijikata in the final round. He is not the player he once was, but these wins must give him confidence to showcase his best tennis. Daniel Merida has had a great start to his first season on the ATP Tour, reaching the final in Bucharest and entering the top-100. Basilashvili has the firepower, but if he doesn’t stay disciplined, he will be in trouble.
Prediction: Merida in 3
Lorenzo Sonego vs Ignacio Buse
Head-to-head: first meeting
Lorenzo Sonego will make his 10th ATP Rome main draw appearance and will be eager to play some good tennis in front of his home fans. He had one great run here back in 2021 when he reached the semifinals, but other than that, he has failed to leave his mark at his home tournament – something he will no doubt be desperate to change here. Ignacio Buse has played at a very high level on clay this season and almost took out Arthur Fils in Madrid. Sonego can light it up when he is getting support from the fans, but he has missed several tournaments this season due to injury and hasn’t looked close to his usual self.
Prediction: Buse in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
